The cuff at the bottom of the shorts is wider than most traditional cycling shorts and it will steer you away from that sausage look that none of us really enjoy. The larger cuff was a feature that I had been looking forward to when I  unwrapped them. They’re rather long in the leg so, for women who are looking for something a bit more modest, this might be what you’re after. The waist band is thick without being so thick that it will cut into your waist and it is supportive and holds everything in without a hint of muffin top. I was rather surprised by this as I normally expect to get this in bib knicks and not plain knicks.

They’re comfortable enough for a quick commute, a trip to the shops or a 100km in the saddle without a problem. But (yes, I found a but), when I wore them on a commute to work one day and then had to put them on again for the trip home, there wasn’t the same amount of elasticity as their had been at the beginning of the day. I don’t like having to pull my shorts up when I’m fanging it through Melbourne at peak hour.

Are they better than any other pair of knicks? Probably not. The big bonus with these shorts is that they do have the longer leg for the extra modesty, the thicker cuff (for better looking leg muscles) and the quality waist band which doesn’t cut into you (and no muffin top). If you’re not into branding yourself, these knicks are perfect, and if you’ve been looking for the right fit but still haven’t had any luck, try these on the chance that they might work for you. It is a different and new product that’s totally thinking outside the box in a different direction.

 Coming onto the market at $149.00 AUD, the Sirens are priced reasonably. Go here for frequently asked questions and all the technical info.

I was pretty excited by the arrival of this cycling top, when it came by post it was nicely rolled up in a little package with information on the outside. I received the purple Popsicle Jersey and it’s a great colour. Hidden in the back pocket is a secret tube repair patch which I thought was ridiculously cute and if you’re into repairing your tubes it’s a nice little extra. The tube repair patch doesn’t last long in the wash and with my handling skills, I’d say best to remove it and put it straight into the saddle bag.

The Look and Feel
The top has a really nice fit. I requested a medium (size 12) and it fit me perfectly and had enough space underneath for base layers. It comes with a long back which I know a lot of women are really keen on, though this is not something that I personally require in a cycling top.

The Popsicle does have a longer front zip than most jerseys with the half length zip, I tend to get frustrated that they aren’t long enough and this one hits the spot very well. The pockets at the back have zips and reflective piping; I’m not a huge fan of the zips when riding because it’s just not as easy, but if you’re not in the habit of getting nutrition out of your jersey whilst cycling then it wouldn’t be a problem.

When to Wear the Popsicle
On the bike it’s great. I like to think of the soft-shell that covers your chest as a ‘piece of armour’, Ground Effect calls it WindFoil and it protects your chest from the wind and ultimately the windchill. If you’re in Melbourne riding at the moment, you will know how cold it’s been, so it has been worthwhile having this top as part of my wardrobe. I get pretty cold on the bike in the mornings and Beach Road loves a head wind. To counteract this, I use this jersey as the top layer to make it warmer as I’m not the sort of person who likes to be cold. The WindFoil does what it says it does and deflects chilly winds, though the Popsicle is not something you would wear without layers. For example, I use a merino base layer, a cycling jersey and arm warmers as a minimum in the mornings; all of this goes underneath the Popsicle.

Popsicle Performance
I introduced this as a multipurpose top which it really is. You can easily wear this top in summer, merino wool is really good at drawing sweat away from the body and its job in summer is to keep you cooler. I’m sure you’re wondering how I tested that in the middle of winter? Luckily, I run as well as cycle and I’ve been wearing it over the top of my sports bras on my long and short runs. I’m not a good runner, but I sweat when I run which makes me a good tester when it comes to merino wool. More often than not my jersey comes home soaked in sweat; I can take it off and be completely dry underneath.

To properly review the Popsicle I read the washing/care instructions on the Ground Effect website. They’re very specific about avoiding cold water and suggest washing in warm water of 45 degrees. Honestly, if I can’t just toss it in with a wash I’m really not interested in it, so I have been just tossing this in the wash and I always wash with cold water. The jersey is still good, but to get the best wear out of your wardrobe you should probably follow the instructions.

The Verdict
Ultimately, it’s a good piece that does what it says it will do and belongs in a cyclists or triathletes wardrobe. At $129.00 AUD it’s worth the spend.

Ground Effects gear is available online and you can also see the tech details and FAQs for the Popsicle online.

The adaptability of my favourite ride has also been a great way for me to measure my fitness. There are many markers along the way, the school-house, the old church, the trout farm, ‘Horse-Dog Hill’ and even Eucumbene Dam. Each of these markers started out as landmark goals for me to reach when I first started riding in the area a few years ago. Steadily I’ve been able to ride and surpass each and every one.

I can still remember my first ride though and how chuffed I was at managing to ride a princely 16kms. That has gradually built up over time to riding distances upwards of 100kms and this, in a nutshell, is why I love riding my bike! You can see the progression you are making with each and every ride. Sure, I have my ‘off’ days where every turn of the pedal feels like I’m just not getting on top of my gears, but they are far outnumbered by the days I have where everything is running effortlessly.

The other thing I love about riding here in the Snowies is the traffic – or lack thereof. It really does feel like the whole road was purpose-built just for me to pedal my bike on. It’s very rare that you meet a car on this route, and when you do it’s generally old farmer Bob moving from one paddock to another and he always greets me with a friendly wave.

Of course there are other sorts of traffic that you are more likely to meet on the road rather than cars and that is wildlife. Sheep, cattle, kangaroos, echidnas, lizards and sometimes even the odd ‘Joe Blake’ (snake) in summer. Snakes aside there is always something inspiring about spotting a Wedgetail Eagle or two soaring along with you or listening to the bullfrogs which have called one of the numerous roadside creeks home, it gives you that feeling that you are alive!

The weather in the Snowies changes constantly, you might say it’s a bit like Melbourne; four seasons in one day. It’s amazing how many times I’ve headed out on a sunny still day only to return back home in sleeting rain and gale force winds. Let me tell you, when the wind blows in the mountains it blows and nothing is worse than going for a ride just to be buffeted by strong gale forced headwinds. Unfortunately on my home run I know this feeling all too well. But riding in headwinds only makes us stronger; there is nothing more exhilarating than hitting speeds of 60kms on the relative flat when you are being helped by a very strong tailwind!

As the season changes so does the scenery on my favourite ride. In summer, it’s hot and the burnt off paddocks are set off brilliantly with imposing storm clouds. Autumn brings a touch of colour to the trees and you can feel a brisk crispness in the air. In winter, it’s not uncommon for the creeks on the side of the road to be iced over and the landscape is magically transformed into a kingdom of frosty ice with views of the snow-capped mountain vistas in the distance.

Spring is my favourite time to ride. The grass is green, the temperature is that little bit warmer and you can hear and see the newborn calves and lambs in the paddocks. Riding through this countryside with the mountainous backdrop in the distance, there is nothing better.

Having this ‘home run’ so close to home did spoil me though. Daunted by the prospect of riding uphill for 7kms (with an altitude gain of 300metres) for years I would put the bike in the car and drive to the top before getting out and riding on this relatively flat terrain. Thankfully after some dedicated months of persistence I can now say I’ve conquered the beast of a climb which is Kalkite Hill.

Kalkite Hill… just the mention of it makes me shudder. For years it taunted me and for years I convinced myself I wasn’t fit enough to even dream of riding up there. I could see its steep terrain, winding slowly upwards from my house but I daren’t head that way on my bike. Hey I was too fat to climb and fat girls don’t ride up hills right? Pffft, I’ve blasted that attitude out of the water. It took me a few months, 12 kgs of weight loss, many wintery commutes and lots of indoor trainer sessions (thankyou The Sufferfest) but now this girl rides up steep hills!

It was a challenge the first time I rode up that steep terrain. It took me just a shade over 24 minutes and trust me I felt each and every pedal stroke. Seeing the gradient on my trip computer read 15% whilst I still had a fair few kms to climb wasn’t pleasant, but the feeling of elation once I got to the top was amazing! Yes, I even let out a little girly cheer! I’ve done some amazing things in 2011, I swore off potato crisps as a New Years resolution, lost 12kgs, heck I even got married on a Glacier in New Zealand and now I can also add cycling up Kalkite Hill to that list of achievements. That climb has been my nemesis for years but gladly no longer! The last time I rode it I even shaved off 2 whole minutes. Getting up there in 20 minutes flat would be a challenge indeed but I’m sure with time I’ll do that too.

If you ever venture down to the Snowies for some riding and see a girl grinning from ear to ear then it’s probably me. I may have just suffered like a dog getting up a beast of a climb or I might just be taking it easy on my home ride. Rest assured I’ll be smiling – even in a strong headwind – because at the end of the day I ride my bike because I absolutely love it, and there’s nothing I love more than riding my bike in The Snowies!

This article appeared on SheRides Cycling and we are kindly allowed to republish it on Bicycles Network Australia.

Joanne wants to re-educate the community, teaching them how to ride a bike if they have never ridden, and if it’s been too long, helping the participants build up confidence to get back out there.

Originally the program started with the assistance of the Bicycle Transport Alliance and has since grown with council assistance. The womens programs are aptly named, Learn to Ride for women who have never ridden and Back on your Bike, for those who hadn’t ridden for years.

Joanne presented the program that she has been developing in conjunction with the City of Sterling at the Bike Futures Conference in Melbourne this October.

Since starting the program, Joanne has helped 75 women from 17 different cultural backgrounds to complete the program, and there is a waiting list of 45 for the next program.

The programs run twice yearly in spring and autumn. Perfect conditions, not too hot and not to cold- Other councils in Western Australia have been trying to implement the same program for their area’s but haven’t had the same response as City of Stirling.

At the conclusion of the Bike Futures conference in Melbourne I was able to speak with Joanne about the program, she is proud of the women who have already finished the program, 66% of the participants thus far have been women aged over 50.

Joanne is aware that she can take this program in many directions, there are plans for urban explorer rides and Mum ‘n Kids training. Plus she has already established bicycle maintenance training, real world rides, a bicycle library and a 12 week social ride course called ‘wheelie wonderful women’.

If you can’t ride a bike or haven’t ridden a bike in years and need some encouragement, check with your local council to find out if they have a program that will suit your needs and if they don’t; tell them about what Joanne Burgess and the City of Sterling is doing for their constitutes.

For more information about the program and how to become involved email cycling@stirling.wa.gov.au; or for more information go to the City of Sterling website www.stirling.wa.gov.au.

The 178 strong peloton travel from Melbourne 84.7kms before they join course circuit of 15.9kms and will race 11 laps around.

The peloton took it very easy through the neutral zone often looking at the sights and the Australian banners on the sidelines, and at the start on the Westgate bridge, Matthew Brammeier (Ireland) attacked straight as the start flag was dropped. Incidentally this year’s Worlds is the first time in history the red flag wasn’t used, an Australian flag was used. Brammeier was followed by Jackson Rodriguez (Venezuela), Oleksandr Kvachuk (Ukraine) and Mohammed Said Elammoury (Morocco) forming a five man breakaway working together and putting time into the peloton with the gap extending out to over 5 minutes. The peloton was happy to see them go clear with none of the four being contenders.

The Spaniards took the lead of the peloton and the Australians were tucked into the middle of the peloton.

Esad Hasanovic (Serbia) attacked the peloton trying to bridge the gap to the breakaway, but the breakaways time gap jumped out to 16 minutes, his team car came up next to him and the conversation was quite animated, perhaps he was told to sit up and wait, though he didn’t do this, instead put his head down and drove towards the lead group.

The peloton has let the breakaway slip out to 20 minutes there is currently a lap time of around 23 minutes when they hit Geelong, which means they could lap the peloton, and the big names of the race wouldn’t be able to pull that lap back. Without any race radios, was the peloton aware of the lead?

The lead group has entered Geelong streets, the chasing rider Esad Hasanovic hasn’t reached the outskirts of Geelong yet still yoyoing in between the groups. The peloton still hasn’t responded with the gap still being 23 minutes.

As the lead group came over the first climb the gap was down to 22 minutes which will keep the peloton on the same lap, but not by much, by the time the leaders crested the second climb, with Rodriguez putting a few meters into the rest of the group, the peloton were 2kms into the circuit. So they are chasing but haven’t started reeling them back in.

As the peloton came over the first climb with a massive cheer from the crowd for our Aussie team the time was down to 20 minutes, so they have brought them back 2 minutes within a lap.

Mohammed Said Elammoury (Morocco) became a crowd favorite of the day, he was dropped over the last climb but is still hanging on, the next lap I thought he had retired but he was still there. Elammoury was getting a lot of encouragement from the crowd!

The Belgians were working together on the climbs and splitting the main group with a group of 25 riders going clear, as they went over the second climb they slowed their pace to allow the peloton to get back together but the Belgians showed their strength and cracks were forming the main peloton.

The chasing group was steadily closing the gap to the lead group, around 3 minutes a lap. The Belgians, Spaniards and Italians were organized on the front and are well drilled in keeping a hard and fast pace so no-one can attack and dropping riders until the main contenders are left. The main peloton has fractured a lot of the big names haven’t made the chasing group including Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) and Thor Hushovd (Norway) along with Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland).

It started to look like the peloton and chasing groups wouldn’t catch the breakaway with three laps down they still had a lead of 13 minutes but they were now suffering and the Italians and Spanish are driving the pace and now Australians were at the front. Stuart O’Grady (Australia) the team captain is again pulling the chasing group along much like he does at the Tour.

A select group of riders which contained Australia’s Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans and Stuart O’Grady, Philippe Gilbert (Belgium), Filippo Pozzato, Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) and Alexandr Kolobnev (Russia) has broken away from the peloton and has brought the lead group back to 6 minutes down.

Oleksandr Kvachuk (Ukraine), has attacked and only Diego Alejandro Tamayo Martinez responded and now Kvachuk has a 3 minute gap to Martinez and the chasing group is 4 minutes down. Mark Cavendish (Great Britain) has dropped out of the race; it’s turning into a classic race more than a sprint. Does Cadel Evans really have a chance? Next year’s course in Copenhagen certainly will suit him but our own Michael Matthews who won the U23 World Road Racing rainbow jersey will be on his wheel.

Gerrans and Goss have worked hard for Cadel today, covering moves and looking after him, Goss has been dropped this lap and has pulled out of the race.

Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) has attacked and caught Cadel off guard, Cadel has reacted, Cadel has fought to get back on and Nibali has attacked him again and pulled out a small margin over the elite group.

The lead group containing Nibali has Chris S?rensen (Denmark), Jose Rodolfo Serpa Perez (Colombia), Giovanni Visconti (Italy), Koos Moerenhout (Netherlands). And the chasing group 22 seconds behind Nibali including, Filippo Pozzato (Italy), Philippe Gilbert (Belgium), Tejay Van Garderen (United States of America), and Cadel Evans (Australia), have been joined by the groupetto of 32 riders. Thor Hushovd (Norway) has also joined this group.

Both groups have come back together at the base of the second climb, and Bj?rn Leukemans (Belgium) has attacked with Philippe Gilbert (Belgium) and Pozzato getting his wheel and Cadel bridges the gap not working together by the bell lap they are all back together all the big names are in it, Gilbert, Hushovd, Nibali, Pozzato, Evans, Schleck and S?rensen. There’s 15.9kms of racing left in this year’s World Road Racing Championships. Someone has to attack.

Cadel was sitting in the pack, not where he wants to be, Gilbert has attacked on the steepest section of the climb and Cadel was slow to respond, no-one has gone with him and he has a small break. Gilbert has extended his lead on the descent while Cadel, Schleck and Kolobnev have gone over the crest together. The gap has pushed out to 20 seconds on the second climb but Evans, Kolobnev, S?rensen, Schleck and Bj?rn Leukemans (Belgium) are working to reel him in.

Now with 5kms to go and slightly downhill, Evans has gone out on his own with Schleck on his wheel time trialing burying themselves and drawing Gilbert back in.  The peloton has reeled them in, this is going to turn into a bunch sprint!

There’s a flurry of attacks to no avail the peloton are charging now, and with 1 km to go it’s a bunch sprint, this is now what I predicted.
Around the last corner, Hushovd has come from the peloton and started his sprint down the left hand side, the finish line kicks up, and Hushovd comes across the line and wins the 2010 World Road Racing Championship.

Matti Breschel (DEN) for silver and Australia’s Allan Davis (AUS) bronze.

“It is hard to understand that now I won at the worlds. It’s a dream and sometimes I feel it’s an unreal dream and now I’ve won it here in Geelong, Australia, so that was amazing, I’m speechless,” Hushovd said."I think it was still a perfect race."

Davis held off a late lunge from Italy’s Filippo Pozzato for the bronze medal.

“I’m the only one up on the podium but for sure it was a huge team effort, I thought we rode tactically brilliantly today. We had three guys in that main split there. Myself, I was just playing my cards on a small group finish, which it came down to. I knew [Oscar] Freire (ESP) was there, Thor [Hushovd] (NOR) was there so, like Thor said, there was Spain and Russia at the end controlled it,” Davis said.

“The bronze medal is something special definitely, here in Australia as well, it’s something that I’ll never forget and I’d like to thank all my teammates and all the staff as well, it’s been a huge success for us as an Australian team and for cycling in Australia.”

2010 UCI World Championships Elite Mens Road Race

1      Thor Hushovd (Norway)      6:21:49       
2     Matti Breschel (Denmark)            
3     Allan Davis (Australia)            
4     Filippo Pozzato (Italy)            
5     Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium)            
6     Oscar Freire Gomez (Spain)            
7     Alexandr Kolobnev (Russian Federation)            
8     Assan Bazayev (Kazakhstan)            
9     Yukiya Arashiro (Japan)            
10     Romain Feillu (France)            
11     Grega Bole (Slovenia)            
12     Dmitriy Fofonov (Kazakhstan)            
13     Koos Moerenhout (Netherlands)            
14     Fabian Wegmann (Germany)            
15     Andre Fernando S. Martins Cardoso (Portugal)            
16     Frank Schleck (Luxembourg)            
17     Cadel Evans (Australia)            
18     Philippe Gilbert (Belgium)            
19     Niki Terpstra (Netherlands)     + 0:00:07      
20     Bj?rn Leukemans (Belgium)

99 from 172 riders completed the course

A big thankyou from BNA goes to Neil who spent time with us, taking photographs and getting us around the course to the best vantage points.

Photos ? Sirotti

The 123 strong peloton afforded itself only 76 finishes, Belen Lopez Morales (ESP) managed to scrape in with a time of +19:35 behind the winner Italian Giorgia Bronzini, Bronzini was riding with her heart and she said at the press conference after the race, “first I race with my heart and secondly for Ballerini.”

Bronzini continued to say that she “waited and thought about the finish….was hard to finish in the small group….”

Marianne Vos of the Netherlands was a clear favourite to win today’s race, she has now placed second four times and it made sense to see her up there on the podium again, although there is no doubt that she would have preferred gold. She said that she thought the race would be harder, “the climb is hard? but after the descent, there’s a long way to go for the final.”

Sweden’s Emma Johansson was knocked slightly by Vos coming in for the final sprint as they crossed the finish line, but the UCI officials have looked at the footage and the medals will stay the same, Johansson said the following on her bronze medal “it was very frustrating… I’m happy to have my first World Championship medal, but you always want more.”

45 of the 123 women who started did not finish the race, they worked hard for their teams, being offered up as a sacrifice to try and keep the strongest rider at the front and out of harm’s way.

Results of the 2010 UCI World Championships Elite Women’s Road Race

1 Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
2 Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
3 Emma Johansson (Sweden)
4 Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
5 Judith Arndt (Germany)
6 Grace Verbeke (Belgium)
7 Trixi Worrack (Germany)
8 Rasa Leleivyte (Lithuania)
9 Elizabeth Armitstead (Great Britain)
10 Carla Swart (South Africa)

Photos ? Sirotti

Ruth Corset (AUS) made the choice to change her bike at the beginning of the second lap after being involved in a crash on the first lap. Bridie O’Donnell (AUS) was sitting at the back of the peloton with legend Jeannie Longo (FRA); O’Donnell looked to be struggling throughout the second lap which wasn’t good news for the Australian women.

Three laps in and rider Dinah Chan (SIN) pulled out of the course, Cromwell was doing her job as expected leading the peloton, Cromwell is an excellent domestique and can climb, making her the perfect team mate for this course. Two breakaways where attempted early on the first climb, but the peloton chased them down easily, the breakaways weren’t overly strong, nor had they been 100% committed in their breakaway, the peloton easily bought the riders back together on Pakington Street as predicted.

As the women headed onto Moorabool St to finish the third lap, they did so very fast, with Italian Eleonara Patuzzo out in front; the peloton changed very quickly with Katheryn Curi Mattis (USA) who went for the breakaway the minute the peloton was over the top of Moorabool St. Two Swiss riders pulled out at the beginning of the fourth lap as the riders made it to the top of Moorabool St.

On the fifth lap the Curi-Mattis is still out in front, she had a gap of 2:25 from the peloton, the women at the back of the peloton where seriously struggling, women still coming through the gates 5minutes after the main peloton. Emma Pooley (GBR) seemed to be in her element on all the climbs as did Cromwell, Ryan and Vicki Whitelaw (AUS). The peloton had been setting a strong pace as the peloton headed towards lap six and the pace was too much for Serene Lee (SIN) and rider Kathryn Bertine (SKN), any more time on the course and Lee and Bertine would have easily been swallowed by the peloton on the sixth lap.

Curi-Mattis looks lean on the course as she headed into the 6th lap, but began to suffer on the first climb. Amanda Spratt (AUS) and Bridie O’Donnell (AUS) where suffering as they came into the 6th lap they were over 7minutes behind the main group and pulled out in the team area on Moorabool St. Cromwell was setting the pace at the front as they headed into the first climb on Challambra Crescent.

Lap seven saw the Australian’s and the British fall back through the peloton, the Australian and the British teams did what many teams would have done today which was to use as many riders as possible to push the pace at the front and to bring back breakaways. On the 7th lap Curie Mattis got over taken by the pint sized Pooley, the world Time Trial Champion as of Wednesday’s race, the Peloton caught up to Pooley on the first climb of Challambra Crescent.

On lap eight the women pushed the pace even faster, Nicole Cooke (GBR) broke away on the descent heading towards the bottom of the hill on Mt Pleasant, stringing out the rest of the peloton on the descent. Cooke was still in the lead as they rode the rainbow bridge for the last time, Judith Arndt (GER) closing the gap on the final climb, both Arndt and Cooke worked together with less than 6km to go.

The final 4km was reminiscent of Mark Renshaw’s lead out of Mark Cavendish on the final stage of the 2009 Tour de France. With less than 4km to go the women were not chasing as the two leads rode onto the Esplanade with a slight headwind, once they hit Moorabool St it was each for their own.

First place went to Italy’s Giorgia Bronzini in the bunch sprint that we had all been talking about, Marianne Vos of the Netherlands came in second place for the second time and Emma Johansson of Sweden took 3rd place.

2nd Marianne Vos (Netherlands), 1st Giorgia Bronzini (Italy), 3rd Emma Johansson (Sweden)

The Elite Aussie Women

The elite women raced hard and fast, commentators telling the crowds that this race was not high tea nor was it a moment to be a lady.

It came down to the last lap; the final six km saw Judith Arndt and Nicole Cooke dragged each other along the Esplanade to Moorabool St. Once on Moorabool Street the peloton came back together in preparation for a bunch sprint as expected.

Our highest placed Australian was Ruth Corset coming in 26th place and Vicki Whitelaw coming in 28th.

2010 UCI World Championship Elite Women’s Road Race

1 Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
2 Marianne Vos (Netherlands)
3 Emma Johansson (Sweden)
4 Nicole Cooke (Great Britain)
5 Judith Arndt (Germany)
6 Grace Verbeke (Belgium)
7 Trixi Worrack (Germany)
8 Rasa Leleivyte (Lithuania)
9 Elizabeth Armitstead (Great Britain)
10 Carla Swart (South Africa)

Coming up next – the Elite Men’s Road Race

If the under 23′s race and Elite Women’s road race is anything to go by, we’ll see the same thing at the Elite Men’s race on Sunday 3rd of October. The Elite Men’s road race departs from Federation Square in Melbourne at 10am and  head to Geelong for the circuit.

Photos ? Sirotti